NTC claims Motassim Gadaffi’s capture

Sirte: A National Transitional Council stated that Mutassim Gaddafi was captured in the Libyan city of Sirte and that he was at present being held for questioning in Benghazi, the Council’s eastern power base. Three officials in the National Transitional Council (NTC) said Mutassim Gaddafi, the toppled leader’s fifth son, was seized trying to flee the city. He was hiding in a family car.

Mutassim, believed to be aged 34, who was national security adviser to his father, was then taken to Benghazi for questioning according to Col Abdullah Naker. There are celebrations in Bengazhi. There were reports of people burning firecrackers and shooting in the air in jubilation.

“Mutassim was arrested today in Sirte,” Colonel Abdullah Naker of the Tripoli Revolutionary Council said.

However, Jalal el-Gallal a spokesman for the NTC stated that is he had no confirmation that Mutassim Gaddafi has been captured. The information regarding Mutassim’s capture has not yet been confirmed as no one has had first hand witness of the capture or the captive. But if confirmed, Mutassim Gaddafi’s capture would be a major breakthrough for the NTC.

Mutassim is a senior officer in Col Gaddafi’s army and was a national security advisor to his father. The NTC would want to question him as to the whereabouts of his father and other family members such as Saif and another son Khamis – both in Col Gaddafi’s inner circle – analysts say.